Umbra

Sleek, neutral & elegant home design for a young family, highly-personalized to parallel the owners' taste and vision for the future.

Every day, as dusk falls, household members return; the entry door welcomes with open arms, leaving all destructive noises and unfinished paperwork behind.

As soon as the curtain is up, the light is on, the living space almost acts as a healing point to destress and recharge one's soul with its intimacy and coziness. The homeowners could physically and spiritually engage the senses knowing there is no place like here. The design subconsciously creates a perception of security and insurance of space to fall back and/or push forward anytime there is a need. Natural stone texture, dark wood veneer, imperfect surfaces and neutral color palette; together they form a personal touch of character—peaceful and zestful.

Artistic touch wise, there is a bit of everything everywhere; some obvious, some subtle, just like what is encircling us every day. To a stranger's eyes, they could be missed; to the designer's, they are like the final piece. Those underlying ingredients could boil down to the uniqueness of texture, contrast of color or softness of corner. Not everything needs to be different but those which stand out are what make a difference.

Project Umbra has solved the design puzzle, practically and purposefully. An echoing empty place has been filled with personality and happiness. A family's lifestyle has been enlivened. A used-to-be unfamiliar scene has now been called home.

Project: Apartment Umbra

Architect: MAD Architecture

Program: Residential

Location: Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh

Built Area: 114 sqm